{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreiejsuuax7rpg374ttjbe2uws3bxk3ninkf3u5zwwak5ittq3paipi",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:ppigktux42nzdu3ifwprppuc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj5xq7kwzss2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreia4k2pq2hqp6cytuuusvvbkjmadx476jrazm5laxknqn77yw2locy"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/png",
    "size": 41248
  },
  "description": "We're launching a weekly election info tracker as the May elections draw closer. Here's the first installment. ",
  "path": "/election-roundup-candidate-forums-ahead-of-may-19-primary/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-09T21:54:51.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.newsinthegrove.com",
  "textContent": "With the May 19 primary election now less than six weeks away, a series of candidate forums in Forest Grove will give voters in western Washington County the chance to hear directly from those on the ballot.\n\n_There are more than a dozen races on the May 19 primary ballot in western Washington County, from county commissioner to state legislature to Metro Council. As a one-person newsroom, we cannot provide the kind of wall-to-wall coverage that a larger outlet might. What we can do is keep you informed about what is crossing our desk each week: candidate forums, campaign activity, endorsements and other developments. This is that roundup. Please bear with us as we refine the format over the next couple of weeks._\n\n## Three candidate forums in Forest Grove\n\n**Indivisible Forest Grove** is hosting a series of three candidate forums on **Wednesdays, April 15, 22 and 29 from 6 to 8 p.m.** at the **United Church of Christ, 2032 College Way, Forest Grove** , according to a flyer provided by forum organizers Kristin Ludwig and Kathe Welch. **Dr. Don Schweitzer of Pacific University** will moderate, Ludwig said in an email.\n\nCandidates listed on the forum flyer include:\n\n**House District 29:** Susan McLain, Mark Watson (April 15)\n\n**Senate District 15:** Nelly Donis-Purcell, Harold Hutchison, Myrna Munoz, Janeen Sollman (April 15)\n\n**Washington County Commission District 4:** Steve Callaway, Kimberly Culbertson, Ayla Hofler, Anthony Martin, Paul Schaefer, Kipperlyn Sinclair (April 22)\n\n**Washington County Commission Chair:** Nafisa Fai, Jenny Kamprath, Pam Treece (April 22)\n\n**Metro Council District 4:** Miles Palacios, Alex Phan (April 29)\n\n**Metro Council President:** Bruce Broussard, Chris Christensen, Philip Fensterer, Juan Carlos Gonzalez, Ken Ross (April 29)\n\nThis newspaper did not confirm if each candidate would attend.\n\n## County candidate forum in Hillsboro\n\nA separate forum focused on Washington County commissioner races is set for **Friday, April 24 at 6 p.m.** at the Washington County Public Services Building Auditorium in Hillsboro, with an option to attend via Zoom. The forum, hosted as part of the **All CPO Community Meeting** and moderated by the **League of Women Voters** , will feature candidates for Commissioner At-Large and District 4, according to an April 3 announcement from the Washington County Office of Access and Opportunity. Spanish and sign language interpretation will be available. Questions can be submitted in advance to oao@washingtoncountyor.gov.\n\n## County Commission District 4: Six candidates on the ballot\n\nSix candidates have filed for the Washington County Commissioner District 4 seat, according to the Washington County Elections Division: Steve Callaway, Kimberly Culbertson, Ayla Hofler, Anthony Martin, Paul Schaefer and Kipperlyn Sinclair.\n\nAyla Hofler, who is running for the District 4 seat, has scheduled a series of meet-and-greet events across the district, according to an itinerary she provided. Upcoming events through April 17 include:\n\n**April 10** -- North Plains, Hitchin' Post, 5-8 p.m.\n\n**April 11** – Forest Grove, Dauntless Winery Tasting Room downtown, 3-6 p.m.\n\n**April 12** – Forest Grove, Centro Cultural, 3-6 p.m.\n\n**April 17** -- Banks, Stelly's Deli, 6-8 p.m.\n\nAdditional events are scheduled through May 9 across the district. Watch this roundup for more dates for more candidate events.\n\n* * *\n\n### Upcoming election dates\n\n**April 15, 22, 29** – Indivisible FG Candidate Forums, 6-8 p.m., United Church of Christ, Forest Grove\n\n**April 20** – Out-of-state ballots mailed\n\n**April 24** – All CPO/LWV Candidate Forum, 6 p.m., Hillsboro\n\n**April 28** – Last day to register or change party affiliation\n\n**April 29** – Ballots mailed to all registered voters\n\n**May 19** – Primary Election Day\n\n* * *\n\n _This is a recurring feature. News in the Grove tracks endorsements, campaign events, candidate forums and other election developments through the May 19 primary. Have a tip? Email chas@newsinthegrove.com._",
  "title": "Election Roundup: Candidate forums ahead of May 19 primary",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-10T18:40:28.230Z"
}